About the RoleThe Senior Legal Counsel at Sierra Space will serve as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to executive leadership, independently managing high-stakes legal matters while proactively mitigating risk and enabling business objectives in the aerospace industry. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role requires a seasoned legal professional with deep expertise who can autonomously balance complex legal considerations with commercial imperatives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, while providing mentorship to junior legal staff and serving as a catalyst for organizational excellence.
About YouOur mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower - to join us in this critical mission.
We're looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals - while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.
Key Responsibilities - Provide strategic legal counsel that directly influences executive decision-making on matters affecting company operations, risk management, growth initiatives, and long-term business strategy
- Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex, high-value commercial contracts and agreements, including master supplier agreements, technology licensing arrangements, joint venture structures, strategic partnerships, and commercial real estate transactions
- Lead or play a key advisory role in M&A transactions, capital markets activities, and other strategic business transactions, providing comprehensive legal oversight from due diligence through integration
- Serve as a strategic advisor on employment law matters, providing counsel on executive compensation, workforce restructuring, and complex HR initiatives with significant legal or business impact
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide policies and procedures; assess effectiveness and drive enhancements aligned with evolving business needs
- Manage and provide strategic direction to outside counsel relationships; evaluate performance, control costs, and ensure alignment with business objectives
- Design, implement, and lead comprehensive compliance programs tailored to aerospace industry regulations; drive continuous improvement and proactively address emerging compliance risks
- Advise senior leadership on corporate governance best practices; prepare materials for and support Board of Directors and committee meetings on sensitive and strategic matters
- Proactively monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the aerospace and defense sectors; translate implications into actionable guidance and strategic recommendations
- Develop and execute enterprise-wide legal risk mitigation strategies; build scalable frameworks that support organizational growth
- Translate complex regulatory requirements into pragmatic operational plans and business processes; partner with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless implementation
- Champion a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability throughout the organization; serve as a role model for professional excellence
- Provide legal mentorship and guidance to junior legal staff; may supervise direct reports or coordinate legal workstreams
Required Qualifications - Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing in relevant jurisdiction(s)
- Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred; aerospace, defense, or heavily regulated industry experience highly desirable
- Proven track record of providing strategic legal counsel that influences business outcomes at the executive level; demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, multi-faceted legal matters with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional legal projects and guiding teams through complex initiatives
- Exceptional legal writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills with ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders at all organizational levels
- Strong business acumen with demonstrated ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives and deliver pragmatic, business-focused counsel
Preferred Qualifications - Deep expertise in multiple legal disciplines including complex commercial transactions, corporate governance, sophisticated employment matters, corporate and securities law, commercial real estate, intellectual property strategy, and regulatory compliance frameworks
- Substantial experience advising on capital markets transactions and M&A, including public and private securities offerings, complex debt financings, public and private company acquisitions, joint ventures, spin-offs, and corporate restructurings, with proven ability to navigate intricate regulatory frameworks, manage deal teams, and provide strategic legal counsel that shapes transaction outcomes
- Comprehensive, current knowledge of laws, regulations, and legal frameworks specific to aerospace and defense, including ITAR/EAR export controls, FAR/DFARS procurement regulations, FCC licensing, FAA regulations, and emerging commercial space law and policy
- Track record of successfully managing outside counsel across multiple matters and practice areas; ability to set clear expectations, evaluate quality, and optimize legal spend
- Strong financial and budget management acumen; experience managing significant legal budgets while maintaining rigorous quality standards
- Experience designing and implementing enterprise-wide compliance programs, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and leading remediation efforts
- Experience providing counsel to boards of directors, audit committees, and executive leadership on governance, fiduciary duties, and high-stakes strategic matters
Compensation:Pay Range:
$227,611.00 - $312,965.50
Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.
Skills & Attributes - Strategic and anticipatory thinking with ability to identify emerging legal and business issues before they become problems
- Exceptional judgment, analytical rigor, and creative problem-solving abilities in high-pressure, ambiguous situations
- Strong executive presence and leadership capabilities; ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; ability to build compelling legal arguments and deliver persuasive presentations to executive and board-level audiences
- Ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively under pressure, and consistently meet critical deadlines
- Unwavering commitment to ethical standards, professional responsibility, and integrity
- Proactive, solutions-oriented approach that anticipates legal needs and delivers business-enabling counsel
- Collaborative and relationship-focused work style with proven ability to build trust and credibility across all organizational levels and with external stakeholders
- Embodies company values and holds self and others accountable to the highest standards of professional excellence
